BILL NUMBER: SCR 71	CHAPTERED  09/12/00

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   130
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 12, 2000
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   AUGUST 25, 2000
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   JULY 6, 2000
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY   JUNE 20, 2000
	AMENDED IN SENATE   MAY 3, 2000

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hayden

                        MARCH 14, 2000

   Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 71--Relative to salmon resources.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 71, Hayden.  Salmon resources.
   This measure would request the Department of Fish and Game to
evaluate and report to the Legislature the full range of
environmental impacts and potential benefits of salmon farming,
including, but not limited to, changes in local habitat, increased
concentration of disease-causing organisms, potential damage to the
genetic diversity of targeted organisms, reduced impacts on
harvesting wild stocks, and the beneficial traits that may enhance
the long-term sustainability of our wild salmon resource.  The
measure would also request the National Marine Fisheries Service to
ensure that proper environmental assessments are completed and that
transgenic salmon are prevented from threatening wild stocks of
salmon.




   WHEREAS, California has prized itself on its populations of wild
salmon, which serve as a highly valued recreational and food
resource; and
   WHEREAS, These salmon, including endangered species, such as the
Coho and other related species, such as the steelhead, have been
proposed for endangered listing; and
   WHEREAS, The survival of these species may be endangered by the
introduction of genes from intentionally altered or farmed salmon
through genetic dilution, pollution, and transmittal of bacterial and
parasitic diseases; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature finds and declares all of
the following:
   (a) The alteration of the genetic integrity of any wild game, and
especially salmonid species, should be thoroughly studied and
evaluated prior to the release into the wild of a genetically
modified organism that is likely to impact those species into the
wild.
   (b) The protection of the genetic diversity and biological
integrity of our salmon resources should be given the highest
priority by California state agencies.
   (c) The introduction of any foreign, nonspecies-specific genes
into wild stocks of salmon should be proscribed or prevented by
appropriate safeguards; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Department of Fish and Game thoroughly evaluate
and report to the Legislature the full range of environmental
impacts and potential benefits of salmon farming, including, but not
limited to, changes in local habitat, increased concentration of
disease-causing organisms, potential damage to the genetic diversity
of targeted organisms, reduced impacts on harvesting wild stocks, and
the beneficial traits that may enhance the long-term sustainability
of our wild salmon resources; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Senate and the Assembly request that the
National Marine Fisheries Service ensure that proper environmental
assessments are completed and that transgenic salmon are prevented
from threatening wild stocks of salmon; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy of this
resolution to the Department of Fish and Game, and to the Director
of the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration of the United States Department of
Commerce.
